Ivan Miocic.

On the other side of the lobby, emerging from the hotel restaurant, was the man that no doubt wanted blood for blood. Their eyes locked for a brief second and the air was sucked out of the room.

All Dison’s hopes, dreams, and dread crashed around him. He met Rebekah’s wide, fearful gaze in what seemed like slow motion.

“Run,” was all he could utter before he snatched her hand.

“Huxford!” Ivan called.

They were through the revolving doors when he glanced behind him to see Ivan rushing after them. “Stop them!” he demanded, and the two men that flanked him charged ahead.

Gods, they were too close. Blindly, he turned left, remembering there was a park past the next block that they might be able to hide within. But the number of people on the sidewalk hindered a straight bolt to sanctuary. Rebekah’s grip tightened as he shoved unsuspecting pedestrians out of his way, triggering angry retorts and gasps of surprise, asserting his shoulders through like a bulldozer.

Heart thundering, he prayed to the gods to let Rebekah live. Once through the crowded sidewalk, they sprinted across the street, cars slamming on their brakes and honking at their careless crossing.

The only way through the park was up a hill or down the sidewalk to the gated entrance, which would give the men an advantage to catch up with them.

Charging up with all the energy he could summon, he pulled Rebekah a little too hard, and she tripped on her dress, stumbling to her knees.

He dropped the briefcase and used both hands to bring her up. One of the men started climbing up the hill, mere yards from Rebekah. Dison grabbed the briefcase and used his strength to whip it at him, effectively hitting him in the head and knocking him back on his ass.

But he’d also sacrificed a quarter of a million dollars.

Fuck it. Their lives were infinitely more valuable, especially Rebekah’s.

She kicked off her shoes. “Keep going.”

They crested the hill and made their way down. To the right was a garden maze, to the left was a pond. They had no choice but to possibly get lost and trapped, but at least it would give them cover.

“Curse this dress,” Rebekah hissed, picking up the hem and sounding surprisingly unafraid of what could happen if they didn’t get away. “The maze?”

“The maze.”

Because of the late hour, the park was abandoned, and the lights dim. Of course with night-sight a vampire had no problem navigating the dark. They rushed in.

Dison relied on his instincts turn after turn, dreading they’d get to a dead end and have to go back, leaving them vulnerable for the second man on foot after them.

“Go right,” Rebekah whispered when they came to another impasse. “This way,” she said as they ran toward another.

The air was dead silent now. No calls or footsteps sounding behind them. Had they given up?

Dison looked back while they turned another corner, then halted when Rebekah gasped and locked her feet to the ground.

Ivan stood at the end of the row, as if he’d predicted their trail the entire time.

Dison placed her behind him. No weapon. No shield. He was going to have to combat Ivan with his bare hands. That’s if the royal would even allow such a fair fight.

Ivan walked toward him, cursing in his native language before reverting to English. “Enough.”

Chest heaving with breath, Dison prepared to face his death, resentful the gods had allowed him such a brief time with his pürist, that they’d allowed him to hope for a lifetime with her. Denying this was the end, he turned to run back the other way, but Miocic’s man came around the corner, trapping them. Then the other followed, pressing one hand to his bleeding eyebrow, the other carrying the case. The snarl of his lip and the glare in his eyes told Dison his death might not be quick.

“Don’t hurt him,” Rebekah demanded, her voice clear and unwavering. She turned toward Ivan. “Dison isn’t the reason your insipid nephew is dead. You have it all wrong!”

“No,” Ivan drawled. “You do.” He raised his hands as he drew near. “Let me explain. We’ve been looking for you, Dison. Not to hurt you, let alone kill you.”

Looking from Ivan to the men and back, Dison’s brows drew down. “What?”

“I loved Kristof. True. That is what family is supposed to do. Love, without judgment. I had no son of my own; what choice I have? Eventually the gods will claim my life, what’s left of it. My name will not carry on without a son, so I thought, Kristof will have to take my place. So of course, when I hear of his death, I am…” His hand balled to a fist. “Angry.”

Dison’s own hand tightened to a ball, ready to strike, but fearing what would happen to Rebekah once he did.

Ivan’s brows rose and he released his fist with a shrug. “But angry for not long, I realize. I knew Kristof would get himself killed. That he was not made for…how you say…the long term. I tried to coach him, guide him, but his nature would not let him grow past his greed. His anger. And so they led him to his death. This is truth. To be honest…I was relieved.”

About his nephew’s demise? Was this the same Miocic?

“Relieved?” Rebekah repeated his own thoughts.

“Yes. Because now I could pass it on to someone I actually did love as a son, but who is not by blood.”

The tension began to ease out of Dison, though he kept his guard up, when Miocic’s words sank in. If he hadn’t tracked him to kill him, then what was this about? In fact, now that the adrenaline had started to wane, he noticed the other men kept their distance, but had no weapons in their hands, and hadn’t stolen Rebekah out of his arms to threaten him into compliance.

“Wait,” Dison said, in disbelief. “You’re not upset about Kristof’s death, and you’re not here to take your revenge?”

“No. Relax.”

“Relax?” Rebekah exclaimed. “Then why was there a contract for his death?”

“I’ll tell you, but not here. We need to talk. We won’t touch you or your woman. I promise. Come with me.” He snapped his fingers to the bleeding lieutenant. “Give him his case.”

The man handed it over with an appropriate glower.

Dison accepted it and watched as the two men trudged by him, following their leader.

Ivan walked ahead a few steps, then looked back when Dison and Rebekah remained. “Come. You have my word you’re safe.”

Rebekah looked up to him, still skeptical. “Should we?”

Dison glanced back at the way out. “He could’ve easily killed us here right here and now. But he didn’t. They aren’t armed. And they returned the money.”

“True, but…don’t you find it—peculiar he isn’t showing any animosity toward you? At all? In fact, it’s almost borderline creepy. His calm. Everything he’s said.”

“Peculiar doesn’t describe it.” He looked ahead to the three men, who were waiting for them at the maze’s exit. “That’s why I think we should get some answers. We could run and never know. It’s up to you.”

She hesitated a moment. “Let’s go.”

Hand in hand, they caught up with Miocic, and were led to the park’s café situated on the east side of the pond. It was closed, but the patio chairs and tables were still out. When Dison spotted Micoci’s daughter Marina seated at one of them with her laptop, he knew they were out of danger. Ivan never included his daughters in the ugly side of his business.

“Hi, Dison,” Marina greeted with a distracted air, typing away on her keyboard.

Miocic gestured for them to sit down. “Sit.”

Dison, no longer fearing they were being duped, set the case down and sat. Rebekah did the same next to him. “What’s going on, Ivan?”

“Look. There was a contract for your death.” He looked at Rebekah. “But it wasn’t me. If that is what you were told, you were told a lie. By the time I was informed what happened, the contract had been submitted, and I sent men to come get you. But you were gone.”

Rebekah held his hand and covered it with the other. “Dison, when my informant told me there was hit put out on you, I…I assumed it was Miocic. But I didn’t actually confirm it.”

Did she think he would be cross with her for that? “I would’ve assumed the same.”

Ivan made a tsk sound. “Except for the fact I could’ve protected you all this time. That was my wish. To bring you home.”

“Home? Let’s be honest, Miocic. I am your financial advisor. Nothing more.”

Now it was Marina’s turn to tsk, though she didn’t say anything and kept typing.

“You wound me, Dison,” Ivan with rare gravity. “Only the ones you love can do that. I was wounded when you fled without reaching out to me, too.”

“Because I knew you’d want me dead after hearing your nephew was killed at a meeting I set up.”

His voice started to rise in volume. “Want you dead? Don’t you understand yet? I love you like a son. I bring you to my home more than any other of my crew. We dine together. I call you for your advice. I give you generous salary. I let you socialize with my daughters. You run my entire books! Why would I let anyone that close to me if I did not care for them?” He slammed his wrist down on the table.

“Papa!” Marina admonished, holding her laptop down.

The sun could’ve burst through the night at that moment and Dison would’ve been less shocked. Loved him like a son? He felt Rebekah’s shock as well.

Now it sort of clicked. He did always think it was odd Ivan had become somewhat clingy for a client. And that he was willing to pay him an exorbitant amount of money in order to keep Dison’s services exclusively to himself. Why he kept calling Dison back to the house for minor matters or just to talk, trusting him with the kind of information even Kristof wasn’t aware of at times. It was Ivan’s version of a father-son relationship.

“I didn’t know,” Dison confessed, truly taken aback.

After a heavy moment, Rebekah spoke. “If you love him like a son, then why did you steal every penny out of his bank account?”

“Because,” Ivan threw out his hands. “I needed to find him! And without money, he’d have to come out of hiding. I made sure the bank knew it was me. I thought you would come to me then.” He looked to Marina. “Is it done?”

She furiously typed, hit a button, and turned the laptop around. “The funds have been wired back to your account,” she said. “See for yourself.”

The screen flashed in red that the transfer was successful. She’d just re-hacked her hack and returned all of his money.

Was this real?

“Dison,” Ivan said, jerking him out of his blank stare at the screen. “I wanted you to take over when I’m gone. That was my plan.”

Dison blinked. “But I’m not blood. Only family can carry the name.”

“You were going to be family,” Ivan said solemnly, as though he’d lost a dream. “I was going to ask if you would marry Marina or Sesila, become my son. Their name would be Huxford, but you’d be a Miocic heir.”

Marry one of his daughters? He had no idea the man had such designs. How could Dison know? There was no hint of such a possibility. Marriage in the name of business happened all the time in the vampire world, and since the sisters hadn’t found theirs…

Ivan’s gloomy gaze drifted to Rebekah. “But now…no. You found your blood mate. Trust me, there is nothing better the gods can offer.”

Rebekah squeezed his hand, sympathetic. “We’ve been running for nothing.”

“Not for nothing.” He kissed the back of her hand. “I’m on someone’s hit list. So, you weren’t the one who sent Jeremiah and his gang?”

“Ne.” Ivan crinkled his nose in disgust. “It was one of Kristof’s friends. But that has been handled. No contract on you now. I already make sure of it.”

Dison met Rebekah’s wide gaze with the same relief. There was one other matter he had to ask about. “What about Jacoby? How are you handling him? Will there be a war?”

“Ack. War bores me,” Miocic replied. “I will retaliate, but there will be no war with him. No deal. I have too much to lose.” The patriarch sighed, pushing up from his seat. “We should go. Our hotel is an hour drive and sunrise nears. You’re free to do what you want, Dison. You are no longer in my employ, unless you choose to be.”

Marina packed up her laptop, and the other men started to walk behind her as she made her way to the parking lot, where two black, heavily tinted sedans were waiting in idle.

They watched them leave, then got up. Rebekah hugged him tight. “I can’t believe this.”

“Neither can I.”

“I know…” she looked back at Ivan, then back to Dison, “This sounds senseless, but I feel sorry for him. Now that I know the truth. He clearly thought you would be the one to take the helm in the end. Now that we don’t have to run, do you think we still should?”

“Someone out there still wants me dead. Contract or no contract.”

“But with Miocic’s protection, we’d be better off than on our own. He’s a royal, and obviously considers you family, even if you aren’t related. You still have the key to the Centurias. We can help him and Marex now.”

Would she never stop amazing him? He searched her blue eyes. “Is that what you want? We could also choose a quiet life, free from royals and family feuds and drama. I’ll take either, as long as you’re there. You are all that matters, Rebekah.” He brushed her temple with his fingers and shaped her cheek with his hand, love more powerful than any pride, greed, or desire.

“I choose you,” she whispered. “And I trust you know which destiny you are meant for.”

He kissed her, and embraced her tightly, thanking the gods they thought him worthy enough to have found the other half of his soul again.

“Ivan,” he called before the vampire could take off. “We’re coming with you.”

The man smiled and climbed in his car.

“What about our things at the hotel?” she asked.

“We’ll send one of Ivan’s men to get them later. So. Do you think we’ll be able to deal in the art of marriage for one of his daughters?” he asked as they made their way to the car.

“Marina is stunning, but her being glued to a computer might not be appealing to some. What’s she like away from her tech?”

“I wouldn’t know. She’s always on it. She has no interest in running the business, though she does a lot for it. Her husband would have to be the leader. Sesila, on the other hand, she’s perfect to take the reins. She isn’t as striking as her sister, and her type-A personality might turn off those traditionalists. All she needs is a husband in name. And one who wouldn’t get in her way,” he joked.

“Sounds like we’ll have better luck with Sesila, then.”

“We have eight months to look at the prospects and decide who to approach.” He hoped they could also convince Ivan a marriage of convenience—and letting his daughters decide—would be ideal for his situation. Though Dison knew it would be an uphill battle bringing in an unknown into Ivan’s sphere, for the sake of his future. Dison could cajole him to see the advantages. Eventually.

“Funny, with all the running we’ve been doing, we’re coming full circle. Back to London,” he remarked.

“Except now we have over two million dollars to live off of.”

“Damn.” He looked down at the hand grasping the briefcase. “Honestly, I’d almost forgotten about the money.”

“Oh, please.”

“I could toss it into this pond and not even flinch.” He started to when she grabbed his forearm.

“Don’t be daft. I was groped and forced into an awkward tango for that money. I will not have some stranger profit from my having to endure Reginald’s hands on my ass while you flirted with that twit.”

Dison laughed and switched the briefcase to the other hand, walking to the second chauffeured car that waited for them. He opened the door and set the case in, before hauling Rebekah in his arms. “Gods, I can’t wait to get you home.”

“Does my vehement jealousy turn you on?” she teased.

“Everything about you turns me on.”

With a surreptitious glance, she whispered. “Dison, what about Marex? What if Ivan finds out what you helped him escape?”

“If he doesn’t know, he’ll never know. And if he does, he must not care, or else he wouldn’t be keeping me in his inner circle, near his daughters.”

“He will know once we go to the Centurias.”

“By then, you and I will have plans to make our own escape, if need be.”

She sighed, nodding. “Will we be living in your flat?”

“Occasionally. We’ll stay at Miocic’s estate for now. That’ll be safest in case Kristof’s friends still seek revenge. They all live there. Ivan, his daughters, a few of his men.”

She wrinkled her nose at this information. “Sounds cramped.”

“A castle that size is only cramped if a small country moves in.”

“A castle?!”

He opened the car door and eased in, tugging her with him. “Come to think of it, it could use some art on the walls…”

“I doubt a man like Miocic wants me decorating his family home.” She pulled the door closed.

“Don’t make any more assumptions where that man is concerned. He has two daughters he adores. I don’t see how he won’t do the same with you. Be prepared for more alpha male protectiveness.”

“At this point, I don’t know if I can prepare for anything.”

“Except for an eternity with me.”

She lilted a smile. “That is the absolute exception.”

They had an hour to the hotel and Dison wanted to make the most of it, sitting back, and bringing his beloved’s body between his legs, her back to him, holding her close. He traced his nose along her neck, wrapping his arms around her middle, his teeth growing with the need for her blood.

With a moan, she arched back and laced her fingers around the back of his head, as eager for him to take from her as he was to drink her. He cupped her breasts and kneaded them gently, sinking his sink in her flesh and closing his eyes, the ecstasy hitting his mouth in an instant.

The car eased forward out of the park while Dison drank from his pürist, certain their destiny had only revealed a fraction of what was to come.

* * *